Natural History Wanderings

Death Valley National Park has a new wildflower report today

Towne Pass & Emigrant Canyon have the most easily accessible wildflowers in the park right now. The bloom is now up to the top of Towne Pass and getting stronger. Besides fields of white Pincushion and yellow Blazing Star thick among the black lava talus, watch for Mojave Aster, Globemallow, Death Valley Phacelia, pink Hop-sage and Indigo Bush. Soon the tall spikes of yellow Prince’s Plume will be putting on a grand display.

You will be amazed at the diversity of flowers if you stop for a closer look. Just be sure to use a safe pull-out and park off the busy road.

Greenwater Valley is very nice with flowers now. If you visit in midday you will see the Desert Dandelion and Gold Poppy covering the desert floor, but as the long shadows of afternoon slide across the valley those flowers will close and the fragrant white Evening Snow will open to continue the show. This mid-elevation valley is Desert Tortoise habitat and they are most active when springtime vegetation provides abundant food. Watch carefully as you travel this graded dirt road and be sure to check under your car before driving off. A tortoise may be there seeking shelter from the sun.

Saline Valley has been nearly inaccessible to most visitors due to road damage from rainstorms, but the road was recently graded just in time to enjoy rain-triggered wildflowers. On the South Pass entrance to the valley the bloom is getting nice around the 3000 feet level with bright orange Desert Mariposa Lily popping open here and there.

See photos and follow Reports at:  Wildflower Update 2014 – Death Valley National Park (U.S. National Park Service).